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Steve Davis: Orioles Hanging Tight

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 29: Wei-Yin Chen #16 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Oakland Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 29, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

It’s hard to explain how the Orioles are hanging in the wild card race, but somehow they are.

The pitching was nothing short of stellar in Tampa. Gonzales and Chen throw shutouts, and Hunter only gives up 2 runs. That’s an ERA of .91 for the starters in the three games. Every day it seems like a new unlikely hero. Take Sunday’s starter Miguel Gonzales. He was out of baseball the last two years. The Orioles signed him in March. And now, he out-duels David Price, a CY Young candidate.

How about the bullpen? The Orioles have won 11 straight extra inning games. This is a startling stat. In the 36 extra innings they have played, the Orioles have outscored their opponents 24-5. That means the bullpen, usually comprised of your weakest pitchers, has an ERA of 1.25 in extra innings. That is phenomenal.

Another interesting stat. The Orioles have a negative run differential of -57. They are the only team in baseball that has a winning record that has scored less runs than it has given up.

Like I said, I don’t know how they are still in it. But they are, so enjoy the ride.